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Monday, January 14, 2013

Since announcing the news to family, friends, and co-workers, I've compiled a general list of frequently asked questions.

Q: When did you find out you were pregnant?

A. I suspected I might be pregnant on Thanksgiving as I had a really hard time eating and had a general queasy feeling. I bought a pregnancy test from Target and got a positive test immediately on Black Friday (Nov. 23). I was only 3.5 weeks pregnant at the time.

Q: How have you been feeling?

A: Exhausted is an understatement. I truly don't feel like it's possible for me to get enough sleep. Over Christmas break I slept 12-14 hours a day (10-12 hours a night + a 2 hour nap). I wake up at least 3 times to pee each night in addition to every other hour during the day. I take B6 and Unisom for nausea, but it's not too bad. My digestive track is confused and unpredictable. I'm so short of breath, especially carrying Jackson up the stairs. My lower back hurts and I must be having a lot of round ligament pain because I want to cry everytime I sneeze, cough, or get out of bed.

Q: How did you find out you were having triplets?

A:After my missed miscarriage in August, my OB wanted me to come in for an early scan. Jesse and I went in at exactly 6 weeks, hoping and praying for a heartbeat. The ultrasound technician said, "You got a lot of bang for your buck". We were relieved to see the first baby and heartbeat, really excited to see the second, and shocked to see the third.

Q: Were you using fertility drugs?

A: After a year of trying to conceive, miscarriage, and D&C, I was prescribed 50 mg of Clomid to regulate ovulation. My OB explained the increased risks of multiples (7% for twins and 3% for triplets) while taking Clomid. I was not given the clear to try to concieve yet because my OB wanted to do a 21 day progesterone check first. I took the 50 mg of Clomid, which is the lowest dose prescribed. We had sex once the entire month, and are now blessed with triplets!

Q: When are you due?

A: My technical due date is August 4, though full term for triplets is between 32-34 weeks (depending on who you ask). The goal is to deliver middle/late June.

Q: How did you announce your news?

A: Different ways for different people. I drove straight from the ultrasound to my sister's house and told them under the porch in the rain. My 5th grade teammates got a hysterical phone call (after I ignored their texts inquiring if everything was okay) and we all screamed and jumped up and down. Jesse and I waited 'til the weekend to tell my in-laws. I made three little boxes and gave the boxes to them one at a time.

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Q: Will you have to be on bedrest?
A: If everything goes perfectly, I will not be on bedrest until 28 weeks (mid-May). I've already been told I won't be able to finish the school year. I may or may not have to take half-days prior to 28 weeks, depending on if my cervix shortens. I'll have weekly checks starting at 20 weeks.

Q: Do you know what you're having?
A: Not yet. Of course, we hope at least one is a girl. We won't find out the sex for several more weeks.

Q: Will you work next year?
A: Either Jesse or I will take at least a year off. Affording daycare for four children is not an option, so it will probably be a few years at home with the kids. I've never dreamt of being a stay-at-home mom, but I know I won't be emotionally ready to go back to work when my babies are only a month or two old, especially if they are still in the hospital!

Q: Will you still cloth diaper and breastfeed?
A: We have enough cloth diapers to make it work, but we'd have to do laundry at least once a day. I think that would still be significantly cheaper than disposables, but I will happily use disposables if they are given to us!
I certainly hope to breastfeed and will definitely pump. I know my experience will be different from Jackson because the babies are likely to spend time in the NICU and I'm certain I'll have a c-section. They probably won't be able to nurse right away or latch on immediately. Even if they are all perfectly healthy, I can't imagine I'll produce enough milk to exclusively breastfeed. So, I'll do my best but definitely plan to supplement with formula.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Jackson was very slow to start use real words, but he seems to be learning a new word every other day. We chose not to begin speech therapy yet, and are working on having him repeat everything. We constantly say, "What's that?" Here is his current list of words he uses daily: